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English lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 30 minutes

Combining sentences with conjunctions

Writing & Editing

CCSS L.6.3.ACCSS W.6.2.CEngland: KS3 Writing (sentence variety)England: GCSE English Language (AO6 sentence structures)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Combining sentences with conjunctions.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating

Leads to: Transitions: matching the word to the relationship; Combining sentences with appositives and participle phrases

Materials: A model text, Planning frame, Checklists for editing, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Choose the conjunction that makes the most sense. I have been happy ___ I got my puppy. (although / so / since / unless) → sincePrompt: Read the two parts of the sentence. How are they linked?
  2. Which word or phrase is the subordinating conjunction? Although it was late, we kept playing. (Although / playing / late / kept) → AlthoughPrompt: A subordinating conjunction starts a clause that cannot stand on its own.
  3. Choose the conjunction that makes the most sense. Zara read a book ___ she waited for the train. (while / although / unless / so) → whilePrompt: Read the two parts of the sentence. How are they linked?

Hook · 3 min

  • Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
  • Share the objective: Combining sentences with conjunctions. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: I studied hard. I didn't pass the test. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly?
  • Step 1: Choose the conjunction that shows the real relationship between the ideas.
  • Step 2: The result is unexpected, so a contrast word ('but') fits.
  • Step 3: So the answer is: I studied hard, but I didn't pass the test.
  • Answer: I studied hard, but I didn't pass the test.
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. The film ended. Everyone clapped. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly? (Although the film ended, everyone clapped. / The film ended, or everyone clapped. / When the film ended, everyone clapped. / Unless the film ended, everyone clapped.) → When the film ended, everyone clapped.Prompt: What is the relationship between the two ideas: addition, contrast, cause, condition, choice or time?
  2. Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. It started to rain. ___ we kept walking. (show contrast) (Even so, / Therefore, / Similarly, / For example,) → Even so,Prompt: Read the instruction in brackets: contrast, result, cause, condition, time or addition?

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Leo likes maths. His sister prefers art. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly? (Leo likes maths, while his sister prefers art. / Because Leo likes maths, his sister prefers art. / Leo likes maths unless his sister prefers art. / Leo likes maths, so his sister prefers art.) → Leo likes maths, while his sister prefers art.Prompt: What is the relationship between the two ideas: addition, contrast, cause, condition, choice or time?
  2. Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. We missed the bus, ___ we were late for school. (show result) (but / so / or / yet) → soPrompt: Read the instruction in brackets: contrast, result, cause, condition, time or addition?

Watch out for

  • Writing everything at once without planning.
  • Editing only spelling and not whether the writing makes sense.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating.
  • Use concrete materials: a model text.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Transitions: matching the word to the relationship; Combining sentences with appositives and participle phrases.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-6.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Combining sentences with conjunctions

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. You can join the team ___ you come to practice. (show condition)

    • A. if
    • B. but
    • C. although
    • D. so

  2. Question 2

    Leo likes maths. His sister prefers art. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly?

    • A. Leo likes maths, while his sister prefers art.
    • B. Leo likes maths, so his sister prefers art.
    • C. Because Leo likes maths, his sister prefers art.
    • D. Leo likes maths unless his sister prefers art.

  3. Question 3

    Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. I love the sea, ___ I get seasick on boats. (show contrast)

    • A. because
    • B. yet
    • C. so
    • D. and

  4. Question 4

    I studied hard. I didn't pass the test. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly?

    • A. I studied hard, and so I didn't pass the test.
    • B. I studied hard, but I didn't pass the test.
    • C. I studied hard, so I didn't pass the test.
    • D. Because I studied hard, I didn't pass the test.

  5. Question 5

    The museum was free. We stayed all afternoon. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly?

    • A. The museum was free, so we stayed all afternoon.
    • B. The museum was free, but we stayed all afternoon.
    • C. The museum was free although we stayed all afternoon.
    • D. The museum was free, or we stayed all afternoon.

  6. Question 6

    We can take the train. We can take the bus. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly?

    • A. We can take the train or the bus.
    • B. We can take the train, so the bus.
    • C. We can take the train because the bus.
    • D. We can take the train but the bus.

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Answer key: Combining sentences with conjunctions

  1. 1. A. if

  2. 2. A. Leo likes maths, while his sister prefers art.

  3. 3. B. yet

  4. 4. B. I studied hard, but I didn't pass the test.

  5. 5. A. The museum was free, so we stayed all afternoon.

  6. 6. A. We can take the train or the bus.